When the Sparks confronted the Phoenix Mercury final month, the sport ended with a failed Sparks comeback.
There was one other comeback Sunday — and it belonged to Phoenix.
Unable to remain forward after constructing an 18-point lead, the Sparks fell 85-80 to the Mercury at Crypto.com Area for his or her third consecutive loss.
The third quarter as soon as once more proved to be the Sparks undoing. After scoring simply seven factors within the third quarter of their loss to Phoenix on Might 21, the Sparks had been outscored 24-9 within the third on Sunday.
Earlier than the sport, Sparks coach Lynne Roberts mentioned consistency in transition protection, avoiding extended dangerous stretches and fluid ball motion would outline a powerful third quarter. None of that materialized in opposition to Phoenix (5-2).
After opening with their greatest first quarter of the season, the Sparks shortly grew to become visibly annoyed within the second half. A 3-pointer from Kathryn Westbeld with 2:11 left within the third gave the Mercury their first lead, 58-57, and capped a 21-5 run.
The shift in vitality was palpable in what grew to become a chippy, bodily sport. Momentum swung in Phoenix’s favor late within the third when Satou Sabally was fouled by Kelsey Plum whereas scoring on a layup, pointing and shouting to the Sparks bench as she celebrated.
Sabally completed because the Mercury’s main scorer with 24 factors. She additionally had 9 rebounds.
The groups traded leads early within the fourth quarter. Trailing by two, with 25 seconds left, Plum turned over the ball whereas attempting to go to an open shooter. Plum then fouled Kitija Laksa, who made two free throws to make it a four-point sport.
Plum was one for 13 within the second half, ending with 15 factors and 6 rebounds.
The Sparks (2-6) had been a special group within the first quarter behind a brand new beginning lineup of Julie Allemand, Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens, Odyssey Sims, Plum. They scored 27 factors and had a 10-point lead going into the second quarter. After battling flat begins all season, the group lastly discovered an early rhythm — one they’ve proven in flashes, however haven’t sustained.
Standing at 5-foot-8, Sims — one of many Sparks’ fiercest opponents — helped maintain the group within the sport, scoring a game-high 32 factors.
She relentlessly attacked the basket, giving Mercury defender Sami Whitcomb the “too small’ gesture within the course of. She hit the ground a number of instances on laborious drives, combating by way of contact, and getting within the faces of Mercury defenders to confront them about foul calls. At instances, the toll of her effort confirmed, as she walked with a slight limp between performs.
Regardless of the trouble it wasn’t sufficient to safe a much-needed win for a Sparks group that may play eight of its subsequent 11 video games on the street.
